Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich has been fired by owner David Tepper just 11 games into his tenure as the head of the NFC South squad. The move came after the Panthers lost to the Tennessee Titans 17-10 in Week 12 to drop them to 1-10 in the season.
Chris Tabor is now the Panthers' interim coach. NFL Network insider Tom Peliserro was the first to report the move.
After Frank Reich was fired, David Tepper released a statement.
“I met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers. I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service, and we wish him well. Effective immediately, Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor will serve as our interim head coach. Senior Assistant Jim Caldwell will be a special advisor to Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown, who will take over play-calling duties.”
Since buying the team in 2018, Tepper has now fired three coaches: Ron Rivers, Matt Rhule, and now Reich.
This coaching move comes as the team is struggling on offense with 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. The team traded up to draft the quarterback at the top of last year's draft, and now the Chicago Bears own their 2024 first-round pick, which is currently slated to be No. 1 overall. Reich started the year calling plays before handing the duties to Brown then taking them back for the last two games, culminating in the Panthers' Week 12 loss.
Reich's 11-game stint is the shortest run as an NFL head coach since Pete McCulley's nine games as the San Francisco 49ers head coach in 1978. For context, The MMQB's Albert Breer noted that even the disastrous Urban Meyer lasted 13 games with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Panthers now head to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13 before finishing their season with the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Buccaneers again.